Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Weatherby Rifles: Lots of Changes

Does not seem that Weatherby gets much attention here, but I've always been interested in owning one, or a few. They seem like nice rifles.

So many rifles to choose from so many manufacturers. I'm not a great shot to begin with, so was thinking of buying a rifle that has already been "verified", such as a Cooper or Weatherby RC. That way at least I know what the rifle CAN do. So I'm looking at Weatherby's website and WOW they have seriously reduced their offerings both in model and caliber options. For instance, in most of the Mark V the 30-06 and 308 Win is not available. But of course the 6.5 CREEDMORE is there

Had my eye on a their Weatherguard HBAR that was Range Certified, in 308 Win. Great rifle for the hunting I do. Should have bought it when it was avaialable.

Guess they are feeling the pressure from competition and needed to weed out some low sellers.

I knew some guys in Texas that shot 300’s in the vanguard, certified model if I recall. Those rifles shot really well.
The mark v would be nice.

Every manufacturer is feeling the pressure. It used to be Remington,Winchester ,Ruger and Weatherby for bolt rifles. I have lost count of how many manufacturers sell their bolt rifles now, regular production,semi-custom and full custom , it is a crowded market for sure.

Weatherby sells a lot of Vanguards which are probably the best push feed rifle on the market right now for the price. You have to spend another 1k to get slightly better. They have also dropped the price of their ammunition 30% and that is well worth it. It's exact and matches advertised factory velocity.

Any/all Ratherbee's with more than (2) locking lugs,are fhuqking JUNK. Tough to swoon the 308 in any application,save mebbe an MBR and make mine a '10,followed in a wayyyyyyy distant second by a '91(guilty of both of course). Hint.

It's still "Creedmoor",unless you have several in multiple bore sizes,then it is Kreedmire. Congratulations?!?

Go straight Howa in S/S and cut to the fhuqking chase and holster the 308 notion.

Thank me later.

Hint...........................

Only way to get a SS Howa now is a Vanguard, and it's well worth the extra bucks because you also get a usable stock. Still crap, but usable crap.

I think Australia still gets SS Howas, but I'm too old to move.

I have vanguard S2 in 25-06, it is a nice solid rifle. The stocks and actions are light years better than the Axis, American, 783 and such. I am pretty sure even the vanguard S2's come with a 1 MOA guarantee. They are a good way to try a Weatherby for 499 bucks.

If i were in the market for a new Weatherby I'd most likely go with a Vanguard (Howa)....I think these are some of the best push feed bolt action rifles on the market at any price 👍......Good luck....Hb

When I wanted to try the 6.5 Creedmoor, I bought a Weatherby V2 in 02/14. It is the most accurate straight out of the box centerfire rifle that I've yet to own.

I have 3 V2s, all are capable of shooting MOA or better groups.

Ditto to what oldelkhunter stated.....the vanguard is a solid well built rifle ......great value for those of us "not great shooters to begin with"......my series 1 vanguard is a tack driver with no modification.....my howa 1500 has the same trigger as the series 2 vanguard, an excellent 2-stage upgrade.

Vanguards are the only ones I liked. I need to find some more of those V2 20” carbines in 6.5 or 7-08

I have an Accumark in .270 that makes me look like Ive been trained to shoot.. that guns just flat out accurate.

I wouldnt hesitate to buy another when the time comes.

Practically any Vanguard or Howa whether range certified or not, will shoot some kind of factory ammo into 1" groups! You may need to try a few brands and bullet weights. (also don't be surprised if a range certified does not shoot all brands as accurately) I'm not convinced they are worth any extra money.

Regarding the Mark V action, they have a peculiar design feature threading the front action screw into the bottom of the recoil lug. Weird enough to cause me to pass.

I agree with some of the other posts, a Howa or Vanguard is a very well made rifle, and among my favorites, up there with Tikka and Rem. M700s with after market trigger assemblies.

I am a fan of the weatherby rifles and own several. I have the .240 and .257 in the Accuguard rifle that I really like. The S2 rifles are very good rifles for the money.

I like em too, a 6 lug ulw is one of the more comfortable rifles goin..for me

The Vanguard has been a part of Wby since the mid 1970s. So yeah Howa makes a damn great bolt gun right out of the box.

I have owned 3 over the years 1 MK5 in 280 Remington that was a great shooter and two vanguards which both shot 1 in 300 win mag and 1 257 Weatherby! I know many hear don’t like them, but IMO they are decent guns. I think the recent changes were needed......the bolt gun market is crowded and most bolt guns above $750.00 shoot. They have tweaked the B&C stock and added the new high end carbon. The 6.5 rpm is interesting and a step in the right direction imo. MK now have fluted bolts , cerakote etc. Less fancy wood and more modern looks. All changes that were needed. All MK 5 use criterion barrels which are decent as well. Just my opinion but I think they are doing some good things!

If they would offer a straight comb stock, I would have a several more vanguards in my safe. That signature Monte Carlo hump just doesn’t fit me.

Had a nice vanguard in .300 win mag. Sold it because I decided if I was going to own a weatherby it needed to be shooting a weatherby load. Still haven't replaced it.

It was a nice shooting rifle.